Gympie Pyramid
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The Gympie Pyramid is a terraced structure located in the outskirts of Gympie in Queensland, Australia. Constructed from granite blocks, it stands about 100 feet tall.
The origins of the Gympie Pyramid are uncertain, and have been the subject of much speculation. In his article on the subject, Anthony G. Wheeler writes, "It seems that a terraced hill was claimed to be a pyramid on the basis of a nearby stone wall around a church being of unusual construction, supposed local legends and taboos that warned against intrusion into the pyramid area, the predominance in the area of a cactus of South or Central American origin, a statue (the 'Iron Man' or 'Gympie Ape') of non-aboriginal manufacture found nearby, and some crude inscriptions on a stone block dug up in the area."
Wheeler further notes that an amateur archaeologist, Marilyn N. Pye, became convinced that the "pyramid" and other features were evidence of ancient settlement in Australia by the Incas of South America. Rex Gilroy, who is said to operate a museum devoted to the Gympie Pyramid, reportedly claimed that the "Pyramid" was created by Egyptians who had mining operations in Australia centuries ago, with bases of operation reaching as far as the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. A small idol was allegedly dug up around the same area that some say is a representation of the Egyptian god Thoth in ape form clutching the Tau or the Cross of Life. This statue is now on display in the Gympie Museum. Other Unusual objects have been purportedly found in the area including scarabs, coins and even an Easter Island type head.
However, Wheeler argues that the claims of an extraordinary origin for the pyramid are unfounded, writing, "The facts are (probably) that the Gympie "Golden" pyramid is actually an ordinary hill terraced by early Italian immigrants for viniculture that has been disfigured by erosion and the removal of stone from the retaining walls for use elsewhere ... As for all the supporting statements by the various authorities, all but a few unimportant ones fade away as one after another proves to be a misquote, a falsification or an outright fabrication."
Further investigation is currently problematic, as the site is under private ownership, with access forbidden.
